Meet our Research Assistants
Throughout the year, the Center for HOPES is honored to host both graduate and undergraduate students. Our research assistants often spend several semesters with us, working with the Center team to conduct policy-relevant health research. As students, they bring new perspectives and energy to the Center, while receiving academic and professional mentorship from our staff and refining their analytical and written and oral communication skills.
Summer-Spring 2022
Bucky Foster
they/them
Master of Public Health candidate, Division of Epidemiology (Ohio State University College of Public Health )
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Research interests: Health equity, LGBTQ+ health, HIV/AID treatment quality and global access, abortion care quality and access
Education: BS in Biomedical Science, Ohio State University College of Medicine; minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
How Bucky got connected to the Center for HOPES: “Working with OPEN (the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network) got me working at the College of Public Health where I totally fell in love with combining science and social activism. I came to the Center for HOPES to strengthen that connection even more.”
What Bucky hopes to do when they finish their MPH: “I hope to go on to earn my PhD in Epidemiology. My dream job is to become a professor instructing on HIV/AIDS epidemiology and population health interventions.”
Bucky provides analytical and operational support on Dr. Figueroa‘s RISE Study.
Request Bucky’s CV.
Kyle Moon
he/him
Candidate for BS in Neuroscience & Behavior, University of Notre Dame
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Research interests: Public health, environmental justice, mental health, epidemiology
How Kyle got connected to the Center for HOPES: “Prior to working at the Center for HOPES, I was a clinical research intern at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where I was mentored by Dr. Saira Nawaz. Dr. Nawaz has served as my mentor for the past four years, bringing me to the Center, where I have worked on research projects focused on civic engagement, racism measurement, mental health, and COVID-19.”
What Kyle hopes to do when he finishes his BS: “After graduating from Notre Dame, I’m planning to pursue a 1-to-2 year research fellowship to refine my research interests and skills, and hopefully enter an MD/PhD program (pursuing a graduate program in public health) thereafter.”
Kyle provides research support on a number of Center projects related to program evaluation.
Follow Kyle on ResearchGate
Spring-Summer 2020
Evan Goldstein
he/him
Doctoral candidate, Division of Health Services Management & Policy (Ohio State University College of Public Health)
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Research interests: Health care policy research; health services research
Education: Master of Public Policy, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge; BA in Economics, Tulane University
Why Evan chose The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health: “The program is small but intensive, affording incredible resources, faculty interaction and support, and research and teaching opportunities. The program is housed in a division that has a world-class health care administration program. There are also ample training and learning opportunities with top-ranked graduate programs at Ohio State, including connections with the colleges of medicine, nursing, public affairs, business, and arts and sciences. The faculty, program, and Graduate School will genuinely invest in your development.”
Evan provides analytical support on several HOPES projects as he wraps up his dissertation research.
Follow Evan on Google Scholar
Se
lasi Attipoe
she/her
Doctoral candidate, Division of Health Services Management & Policy
Home country: Ghana
Research interests: Organizational management; health information technology; health and wellness
Education: MA in Kinesiology and BS in Kinesiology, University of Maryland
Why Selasi decided to pursue her PhD: “During my time at the Department of Defense Center of Excellence, the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), I became fascinated with how health organizations operate and positively influence people, as well as how health technology affects efficiency and employee well-being. I decided to expand the depth and scope of my expertise and research abilities to include these interests. I am currently exploring some of these topics through my dissertation work.”
Selasi provides analytical and organizational support on several HOPES projects as she conducts her dissertation research.
Follow Selasi on ResearchGate
Brian O’rourke
he/him
Doctoral student, Division of Health Services Management & Policy
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Research interests: End of Life Care & Advanced Care Planning, Resource Allocation & Rationing, Politics of Health Policy, Ethics
Education: BA in Biology, Case Western Reserve University. MA in Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University
Why Brian decided to pursue his PhD: “It originated after spending a lot of time volunteering at a large health care system during my undergraduate years: I found myself frustrated seeing these brand new all-glass buildings and giant art collections adorning the hallways while at the same knowing that in the surrounding Cleveland neighborhoods, a significant proportion of individuals could not even receive basic health care services due to a lack of insurance or underinsurance. I thought a PhD would be a great way to learn about the system and eventually do meaningful research on it.”
Brian provides analytical support on several HOPES projects as he continues his doctoral coursework.
Connect with Brian on LinkedIn